Do you have a hobby you are passionate about that you would enjoy turning into an entrepreneurial endeavor? Or do you need an extra job to pay off any accumulating student debt you have, but haven’t figured out how to do it? Why not consider using your favorite hobbies as a dream job or to pay off some of that debt? Using your passions as a job can help you sharpen your skills, build your portfolio and resume, and network with professionals. The best part about it? It can be done at your own pace. Here are a several hobbies you may have that can pay!

1. Blogging

If you are passionate about writing, blogging is a perfect way to earn some extra cash. If you haven’t already, create a blog with your own voice and share it with others on Facebook and Twitter. This is a great way to earn a good reputation within your community. Interview local artists or businesses and post it on your blog. These posts can be used as clips to present when you’re applying for other writing opportunities. You can also sell ads on your blog as a bonus! If you are comfortable enough and want to take your hobby to the next level, you can become a freelance writer and write for newspapers or magazines. Ed2010.com is an amazing website to search for freelance opportunities!

2. Photography

I know a lot of friends who love photography and have earned extra cash by taking jobs photographing events on campus. You can try selling your pieces at local cafes or art fairs, or even sell them online. If you choose to sell them online, make sure you understand copyrights to make sure you are not just giving your work away to other people. Several other great ideas include: Taking professional headshots for people’s LinkedIn profiles, or taking family portraits, or agree to you friend’s offer on a photo-shoot for a small price.  As you excel in your picture-taking talents, you can become a freelance wedding or party photographer!

3. Web Design

Ladies, although it may be a bit complex for some, web design is such a great skill to have, especially since we live in such a tech savvy world! If you have web design skills, utilize them! Building your own website to present to others is a great start in gaining a great reputation, as this gives your future customers a glimpse of things you can do. You can then ask your family and friends if they would like they would like for you to create their own websites. Offering your skills to organizations on campus for a small price is a great way to start networking. Once you’re comfortable with the work you’ve created for others, you can make your moves on smaller, local businesses! Advertising your work on your social media sites or posting flyers up around campus can build your clientele pretty quickly. Make sure to have a variety of software to use just in case your clients ask for specific things.

4. Dog Walking/Sitter

Are you an animal lover? Great! There are plenty of people who are willing to pay you to play and walk their dogs! You can start off by asking your neighbors, family or coworkers to sit for them; this is a perfect opportunity to get connected with people they may know who need dog sitters or walkers. You can advance into this field after getting comfortable with the hobby transitioning into your job by creating business cards tailored to this specific hobby and post it around your town at local restaurants and shops. You can also visit websites like www.dogwalker.com and www.petsitter.com to find jobs. Some owners may even ask you to stay overnight with their dog(s), leaving you with more experience and much more extra cash.

5. Sell your crafts online

If you are blessed with the skill of creating unique things, or simply enjoy working on D-I-Y crafts, there are plenty of ways to make a profit from them! Sites like www.etsy.com allow you to sell your beautiful and creative crafts online. Etsy allows you to create your own business name, which is inserted into your personal URL. You can also create a Facebook page for your DIY business, share it with your friends, and ask them if they can suggest your page to their friends. Whether your hobby becomes a career or is simply a side job to help you pay off student loans, the opportunities to build your skills and make extra cash are limitless.